Oregon, USA

Oregon Coast to Crater Lake Bike Tour

DURATION

8 Days

PRICE

$4,426

LEVEL

Advanced

DAILY DISTANCE

55-80 Miles

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Cycling (bikes included), river rafting, and Ride the Rim Oregon (event)

INCLUDED MEALS

All except one dinner

Discover and explore what we ultimately strive for in a cycling vacation–which is to simply “Pedal Happy”.

Created for stronger cyclists, this ‘heftier’ version of the Crater Lake tour crosses the Coast Range and sails down the knobby headlands of Oregon’s Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway along the craggy southern seaboard – then turns inland again to follow the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. The showstopper of the week, though, is the ride around one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon: spectacular Crater Lake – which Bicycling Magazine calls “a scenic road that will leave you breathless.” We time this tour to take part in the Ride the Rim Oregon event (entry fee included) so you can take advantage of the rare opportunity to ride around Crater Lake … without cars!

National Parks on This Tour: Redwoods National ParkCrater Lake National Park

This tour is operated under special use permit/s with the Rogue River National Forest, Redwoods National Park, and Crater Lake National Park. Bicycle Adventures is an equal opportunity provider.

Day 01

Pedal along the Smith River through the Coast Range to meet the Pacific Ocean in Reedsport.

Meals

– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Salbasgeon Inn

Distance

72 miles

Elevation

+3,422 ft / -3,963 ft

Meet in Portland early and shuttle (~2.5hrs) south to a town called Crow. Ride a little-trafficked, winding, remote, paved, forest road over the Central Oregon Coast Range. Cruise down the Smith River to meet the Oregon coast at Reedsport. Now a hub for the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Reedsport began as a camp for the workers who built the Southern Pacific Railroad. Chainsaw carvings and painted totem poles adorn the town. Spend tonight near the ocean at the Salbasgeon Inn.

Day 02

Beaches, sand dunes, elephant seals and lighthouses! Ride south from Reedsport to Bandon following Highway 101 and Seven Devils Road.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Sunset Oceanfront Lodge

Distance

78  miles (short)
or
92 miles (long)

Elevation

+4002 ft / -3935 ft (short)
or
+4,737 ft / -4,671 ft (long)

Head south along the oceanfront with a prevailing tailwind providing a gentle boost. Soak up views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast’s famous rock formations, or ‘sea stacks.’  Bicycle through forests and along pristine beaches with sand dunes and lighthouses. At our lunch stop at Cape Arago, marvel at the northernmost breeding grounds for elephant seals and watch for whales offshore. We offer two routes today – a longer day with more out and back options and a shorter, more direct route. In the afternoon, the rolling hills of the aptly-named Seven Devils Road drop out onto the coast again at the Sunset Oceanfront Lodge in Bandon, a charmingly vibrant fishing and resort town.

Day 03

Ride the sunniest section of the Oregon coast today on the "Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway" from Bandon to Gold Beach.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch

Lodging

Jots Resort

Distance

74 miles

Elevation

+3,925 ft / -4,059 ft

We skip a less-scenic, inland portion of Hwy 101 this morning, shuttling south to spectacular Cape Blanco – the western-most point in Oregon – to begin riding on the “Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway”. The Bikeway takes you inland at first, following the Elk River on a quiet road dotted with swimming holes. Take your pick! And yes, watch for elk – they may be the only traffic you come across. The afternoon is filled with more glorious wild coastline. Sandy beaches beckon from below rocky cliffs. Waves pound against rocky sea stacks. Not much else happens here. Our finish line is Gold Beach, a sport-fishing town in the heart of Oregon’s “Banana Belt.” Boasting more sun than any other town on the Oregon or Washington coasts, Gold Beach is so far from any major metropolitan area that its gorgeous beaches remain wonderfully uncrowded. Dinner is on your own tonight, so you’ll have time to explore. Stay at Jots Resort.

Day 04

Continue along the loneliest section of the Oregon Coast to California. Be awed by the immense redwoods of Jedediah Smith State Park's Stout Grove!

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge

Distance

56 miles

Elevation

+3790 ft / -3682 ft

Savor the last miles of coastal riding today on the loneliest stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon as we approach Crescent City, California. Once across the state line, we veer inland to have lunch under the spell of the ancient redwoods in Jedediah Smith State Park’s Stout Grove. No words here. Just silence. And awe. Maybe a sore neck if you stare upward too long. From Jedediah Smith we transfer (~2hrs) back into Oregon. Stay tonight at Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge, a rafting and fishing resort located right on the river. 

Day 05

Explore the Wild and Scenic Rogue River by bicycle and boat. Head to lovely Diamond Lake, just outside Crater Lake National Park.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Diamond Lake Resort

Distance

Option Ride: 36 miles

Elevation

Option Ride: +2,522 ft / -2,524 ft

Enjoy a leisurely morning today. You can go for an optional ride along the river, or just relax and enjoy the placid surroundings. After lunch, take a scenic and historic raft trip (included) through the gorges, canyons and old-growth forest along the Rogue River. You can opt for an inflatable kayak if you prefer. After rafting, we shuttle (~2.5hrs) up to Diamond Lake Resort, beloved by fishermen and wilderness enthusiasts alike. Spend the next two nights here as we explore Crater Lake – the result of the explosion of Mt. Mazama some 8,000 years ago. From Crater Lake’s rim, gaze down 1,500 feet to the stunningly blue lake below. It is the deepest lake in the U.S. at almost 2000 feet!

Day 06

Ride the rim of Crater Lake without cars - a breathtaking spin crowning Bicycling Magazine’s 'Dream Rides' list.

Lodging

Diamond Lake Resort

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner

Distance

34 miles (short)
or
47 miles (long)

Elevation

+4110 ft / -4110 ft (short)
+5,428 ft / -5,426 ft (long)

Today, bicycle around Crater Lake’s rim. This 35-mile ride is considered by Bicycling magazine to be one of the most spectacular one-day rides in the entire country. At an elevation of 7,000 feet and with plenty of ups and downs, the rim ride includes the highest paved road in Oregon and is more challenging than the 35-mile distance would indicate. However, if you feel the need for more, you can detour down to the Pinnacles overlook – a stunning geological feature – and back adding another 13.5 miles and 1300 ft of elevation. Even better, you get to experience this amazing ride traffic-free! We will be joining the group event Ride the Rim Oregon in the morning (entry fee included). No cars! In the afternoon, take a trip down to the lakeshore, or hike up to Garfield Peak for phenomenal views of the lake and surrounding region.

Day 07

Over 6,000ft of descending await you today! Descend from Diamond Lake to Roseburg.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner

Lodging

Holiday Inn Express Roseburg

Distance

64 miles

Elevation

+1755 ft / -6258 ft

Explore the big chainring today, descending over 6,000 feet in 60 miles! Head north out of Diamond Lake and follow the North Umpqua River past waterfalls and through evergreen forests into the farmlands of central Oregon near Roseburg. Witness the North Umpqua and Little River colliding head-to-head in Glide before heading on to our lodging for the night at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseburg.

Day 08

Ride through Umpqua Valley's diverse wine country - where three mountain ranges meet.

Meals

– Breakfast
– Lunch

Distance

34 miles

Elevation

+1399 ft / -1399 ft

Sample yet another flavor of the Oregon countryside as you ride up, down and through the Umpqua Valley today: Wine! Sometimes referred to as the “hundred valleys of the Umpqua,” this is where the Klamath Mountains, the Coast Range and the Cascade Mountains collide. Growing season temperatures vary dramatically from north to south in this region, creating a gradient of possibilities for winemakers to produce cool-weather Pinots, warm-weather Merlots, and many varieties in between. Enjoy a creek side picnic lunch in the shade before shuttling north to your drop-off in Eugene or Portland.

*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

Dates
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.
Price
Availability
Dates
Single Supplement
Price
$1,195
This is not required. It is an optional fee to allow a solo traveler to guarantee a private room for the duration of the tour.
Dates
September 9, 2024
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.
Price
$4,426
Availability
Open

Have you been to Portlandia?

Our sister company, Cycle Portland, offers guided small-group bike tours exploring the vibrant city, bountiful breweries, or culinary wonders. The tours are a great way to explore the City of Roses before your bike tour begins, or after you’re out of the saddle.

Discover Portland by bike!